How Much Does It Cost To Live in Orange County? How Much is Rent in OC?

Sun. Sand. Surf. Perfect weather 75% of the time. High salaries. High employment growth. It’s pretty clear why people want to live in “the OC.” But, how much is it going to cost you?

Here is a glimpse into the most expensive community in California: Orange County

Now, lets break it down by average rents in the top 22 cities within “the OC”:

Now that you have the numbers, how can you use this info to your advantage? First, I suggest using this info as a baseline to help you figure out where to start with salary negotiations for a new job within OC and expense expectations for cost of living. A lot of people commute long distances in order to save on housing costs while earning higher salaries in other cities.

Next, use this information to help you prioritize. Would you rather pay higher housing costs to live closer to your job? Are you okay with commuting (many people use this time as their “me” time to listen to podcasts/audio books/extended family phone calls)? Would you rather have a larger house farther away from work at the same housing cost? What is important to you?

Lastly, use the cities chart above to determine which cities are most likely to fit your budget and needs. If you need help determining which cities would best fit your style and amenity needs, contact a local realtor to help you sort out your best options!

Data provided by The Economic Policy Institute, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), and OC Register. Table provided via Average rents in Orange County. Additional source: http://cost-of-living.careertrends.com/l/51/Orange-County-CA-Metro-Area